India and Maldives Luxury Honeymoon

Overview

The Leela Palace Udaipur is a spectacular modern incarnation of a Mewari palace, reached by an ever-so-romantic boat cruise. But, as grand as the building is, it is the views over the waters of Lake Pichola to the City Palace and the Aravalli mountains beyond that steal the show.

All 72 rooms and 8 suites make the most of the lakeward vista. Each are embellished with traditional elements of Rajasthan design and a roster of contemporary luxuries.

Around the grounds you’ll find a huge lakeside swimming pool, ornate courtyards and a fabulous spa. Dining in the city has been taken up a notch by the fine Indian fare on offer at Sheesh Mahal and intricate international cuisine at The Dining Room. There’s also a well-stocked wine cellar and bar.

Activities on offer from The Leela Palace include heritage walks of nearby architectural gems, lake cruises, horse and camel rides, tours to rural villages outside Udaipur, antique shopping and more.

Overview

On the banks of Lake Pichola across the waters from Udaipur, The Oberoi Udaivilas stands surrounded by lush gardens and the forests of what were once royal hunting grounds.

The hotel itself is a sprawling palace of ornate domes, breezy courtyards and sunlit corridors – an architectural reflection of Udaipur’s lakes and canals – with glimpses out to Pichola and verdant grounds.

There are 86 rooms and suites, many of which open out onto azure private and semi-private swimming pools with views across the lake to Udaipur’s City Palace, while others look into the estate’s gardens and wildlife sanctuary – home to deer and wild boar. The style is a blend of ornate Mewar with subtle modern amenities. In addition to private pools, the suites feature their own outdoor dining pavilions.

During your time here, explore Udaipur and beyond on private boat and walking tours, venture out into the Aravalli Hills to visit remote tribes and hidden temples, or relax with indulgent spa therapies and yoga sessions.

Suryamahal and Chandni are all-day indoor and outdoor dining venues for multicultural cuisine, with Udaimahal the place for fine Indian dining. Unique dining experiences, such as learning to cook with the chef, lunching while cruising on the lake and intimate private dinners can also be arranged. And naturally the bar is an elegant venue for classic cocktails.

Overview

Built as a pleasure palace by a young prince in 1746, it has since been tactfully restored to its former glory, its fine white marble walls glowing orange at sunrise and purple at dusk

66 rooms and 17 suites are designed to capture a different mood and period from the palace’s long history, each with stunning views across the lake to the surrounding hills and Udaipur or into the lush courtyard gardens.

This spectacular setting is best enjoyed in its panoramic glory from the rooftop Bhairo restaurant. Neel Kamal is the place for authentic Indian specialities, or Jarokha if you’re after a more informal spot to eat throughout the day. Unforgettable private dining experiences – such as out on the lake aboard a 150-year-old boat – can also be arranged.

During the day, find secluded spots around the palace to relax, bathe in the swimming pool, treat yourself on the Jiva Spa Boat or spend some time at handsome Amrit Sagar bar. Across the lake’s waters, explore Udaipur on city tours, heritage walks and even hire a vintage car for the day.

Overview

Situated in the heart of the countryside, a little way north of Udaipur, RAAS Devigarh is a romantic hill-top palace that has been sensitively transformed into a luxurious boutique retreat.

The dramatic rural setting and ornate 250-year-old architecture have been allowed to take centre stage as interiors were renovated in a minimalist style, a unique blend of traditional Indian craftsmanship and subtle modern touches.

There are 39 suites, all large and light with mother-of-pearl headboards and marble-based beds. Some have balconies and window seats – perfect nooks to spend a little time with a book from the library – and others with particularly impressive bathrooms and private sun decks.

Start your days here with a rooftop yoga session as the sun rises over the Aravalli Hills before a day out exploring the surrounding countryside by horse, mountain bike or on foot. There are also excursions to nearby villages and ancient Jain temples as well as into Udaipur itself.

Return to the pampering spa, then enjoy a sunset from the bar, ending the day with wonderfully fresh Indian and international cuisine at the restaurant.

Overview

Located well away from bustling Jaipur, The Oberoi Rajvilas is a sprawling fort-like retreat with some 32 acres of incredible gardens full of verdant trees, fragrant flowers and strutting peacocks.

Revived local techniques were used to recreate vernacular pink lime walls, grand Mughal arches, gold leaf frescoes, high domed ceilings and magnificent crystal chandeliers, giving the whole place an unmistakably palatial feel.

There are 71 rooms, luxury tents and private villas spread around the resort, many laid out in small clusters ideal for families or small groups wishing to stay near one another.

A serene 18th-century Shiva temple hosts Hindu blessings, meditation and morning yoga classes and a mansion of similar vintage is now the indulgent Oberoi Spa. The resort also boasts a fully-equipped fitness suite, putting green, two floodlit tennis courts, a croquet lawn and an outdoor pool.

Both restaurants have indoor and outdoor dining areas. The Surya Mahal is open throughout the year and has an extensive menu of world cuisine. Raj Mahal is open during the cooler months of October to April and serves rarely found Indian delicacies. Private dining can also be arranged.

Overview

Built in 1729 as a private rural retreat for the Maharaja of Jaipur’s wife, the RAAS Rajmahal Palace has remained an opulent oasis even as the city has grown around it.

Still owned by the royal family of Jaipur, in the halcyon days of the British Raj it embodied the glamour of ‘Jaipur Life’. As the preferred private residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the dashing polo player, the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, Jackie Kennedy and the Shah of Iran were entertained within its great walled gardens.

Today, it has been meticulously and daringly restored by designer Adil Ahmad, with grand chandeliered rooms embellished with intricate thematic wallpapers and luxurious fabrics.

With an initial 14 royal apartments, suites and palace rooms, ranging from palatial to genuinely royal – one room built specifically for Queen Elizabeth II’s state visit in 1961 – service is both personal and accomplished.

Down the marble staircase, choose to lounge around the art deco pool or treat yourself at the spa. There are three dining options; the relaxed Colonnade, vibrant 51 Shades of Pink, and formal traditional dining at The Orient Occident. The Polo Bar celebrates the talents of Jaipur’s sporting tradition and afternoon tea on the lawn is a must.

If you can bring yourself to venture outside the Rajmahal’s walls, you’ll find Jaipur’s famed forts, palaces and local markets just minutes away, and tailor made culinary, historical and photographic walking tours can be arranged.

Overview

A royal residence dating back to 1835, the splendid Rambagh Palace, within its 47 acres of grounds at the heart of the city, is one of Rajasthan’s finest heritage hotels.

Grand and intricate examples of Jaipur’s craftsmanship abound with hand-carved stone and marble latticework, fine antiques and elaborate Mughal gardens, all adding up to a thoroughly regal feel.

This carries on into the 45 spacious rooms, with their period décor and modern amenities, and is amplified by an order of magnitude in the 23 grand suites.

Enjoy an aptly royal India feast in the French-style ballroom of Suvarna Mahal, or opt for something a little more informal at the Rajput Room or with tea on the lawn. Drink among hard-won trophies at the sophisticated Polo Bar, or beside a restored locomotive at Steam.

After a day exploring Jaipur, head back to the Jiva Grande Spa for traditional and signature treatments, lounge by the pool, try your hand at croquet or perhaps learn about the Rambagh Palace’s own fascinating history with a guided tour of the grounds.

Overview

Once the city house for the rulers of Samode, one of Rajasthan’s wealthiest towns, Samode Haveli has been converted into a luxury hotel that still has all the lavish touches of a royal residence.

Rooms and suites are scattered around a series of courtyards and gardens, each individually designed and reflecting the rich history and culture of the region. Tiled floors, antique furniture and furnishings upholstered in beautiful Indian fabric give them plenty of character. Some of the suites come with elegant arches, alcoves and pillars and the elaborate Sheesh Mahal suite is covered in floor-to-ceiling mosaics.

The wonderfully elaborate dining room is covered in hand-painted murals and lit by huge crystal chandeliers. Guests can also indulge in a decadent afternoon tea in the verandah lounge or enjoy a cocktail under the shade of the poolside cabanas.

Choose to relax in the Jacuzzi, steam room and spa or simply relax take a seat in the verdant gardens. You’re also ideally situated to explore the vibrant city of Jaipur with its myriad of architectural wonders and bustling markets.

Overview

In Ranthambore National Park’s buffer zone, surrounded by ruggedly beautiful landscapes, the Aman-i-Khas is the most opulent way to safari here.

There are ten sumptuous tents spread out in the sun-dappled brushwood forest, each echoing Mughal pavilions with high canopied ceilings, huge beds and a sunken marble bathtub. White cotton curtains divide the sleeping, living and dressing areas with a sprawling daybed at the tent’s centre.

An outdoor fireplace is the heart of the camp, where stories of the day’s game drives are shared over G&Ts each evening. Other communal areas include the cool swimming pool and dining tent with its daily changing menu of local Rajasthani specialities or culinary concepts from Kerala made with vegetables and herbs grown in the camp’s organic garden.

Aside from twice daily game drives in search of Ranthambore’s abundant wildlife, explore nearby Khandar Fort or head out on birdwatching treks, all to be arranged with the round-the-clock help of your personal ‘batman’ butler.

Overview

Just ten minutes from the wilds of Ranthambore National Park, The Oberoi Vanyavilas is a sumptuous way to spend your time on safari.

Spread around acres of verdant gardens, 25 expansive luxury tents evoke Raj-era royal caravans, with great awnings, four-poster beds and standalone baths, and luxurious modern features such as temperature control.

Follow torch-lit pathways past the lily pond to the swimming pool, sumptuous Oberoi spa and restaurant, where dining is centred around a great fire in the winter months and enjoyed in the gardens during balmy summer evenings. For something really special, the observation tower at sunset makes for a wonderful private dining setting.

Explore the famous Ranthambore National Park in search of tigers and other incredible wildlife, head out on walks with the resident naturalist, learn about the local heritage on cultural tours, take cooking classes and relax with yoga sessions. There are also a range of tailored children’s activities making The Oberoi Vanyavilas a great place for families.

Overview

Owned and run by a family who have played an active part in Ranthambore’s conservation efforts for over four decades, Sher Bagh is a luxurious camp that blends pioneering sustainability with an opulent style redolent of grand British Raj-era safaris.

Authentic and intimate, there are just 12 hand–stitched canvas tents pitched under a canopy of indigenous trees, each furnished with teak campaign-style furniture with en–suite stone bathrooms and wonderfully comfortable beds.

The exquisite Burra Sahib suite is set in a generous private space with its own swimming pool and unobstructed views of the reserve, while the Pukka Sahib suite has a walled garden surrounding a Jacuzzi and open-air shower. Both come with a private butler attending to your every need.

Thoughtfully designed menus combine Anglo–Indian and European lunches, with traditional Indian dinners cooked in outdoor clay ovens, all made with home-grown ingredients, handpicked from the organic herb and vegetable garden and the Sher Bagh farm. The culinary arts are central to life at the camp and guests are invited to participate in and learn from live cooking demonstrations. Meals can also be served in more secluded areas of the camp for those looking to spend a private evening under the stars.

Wildlife experiences here include expertly guided safaris inside the national park to spot tigers, leopards, sloth bears and more. For those with specialist interests, birding walks are on offer as well as safaris accompanied by an expert photographer.

There are also tours to Ranthambore Fort and visits to meet local craftswomen from Dastkar Ranthambhore, a non–profit organisation that produces a wide range of colourful handicrafts. And, of course, one can opt to indulge in a range of treatments and therapies at the Sher Bagh Jungle Sp

Overview

One for design-savvy travellers, the resort was conceptualised by the go-to-guy for extravagant hotels, Jean-Michel Gathy, who has now brought detailed perfection to the Maldives.

Every element of the resort oozes chic style, from the sand-disc artwork to the palm-fringed slate-lined pool and marbled bar. The 45 villas, each with its own private infinity pool, overwater deck, private beach and exquisite bathroom, have drawn celebrities and royalty including Prince William.

Travel 40 minutes by seaplane from Malé to reach this eye-pleasing oasis. Guests can pamper themselves with spa treatments, an onsite hair salon and impeccable service with each villa assigned its own butler and concierge.

Other than the obvious water sports options including snorkelling and diving at nearby reefs, the resort also has a tennis court, gym and a kids’ club.

Overview

This lively barefoot resort sits on a secluded island just 25 minutes from Malé via seaplane. With house reefs to discover the thriving marine life and a sociable atmosphere in the evenings, there is no need to venture beyond its tantalising white sand shores.

The wooden, bamboo and thatched roof bungalows unite a tranquil feel with modern-day amenities. The villas that sit on the wooden decking over the sea allow you to slip straight into the shallow lagoon for snorkelling. Beach villas are more simplistic with front terraces leading onto the sand.

Dining here consist of the main sand-floored buffet restaurant, offering an extensive range of international dishes. Or there’s the à la carte beachfront grill just a few steps from the waters edge. As the sun sets, head to one of the bars for DJ-spun tunes.

As well as some of the best diving and snorkelling available, leisure is more than catered for here too, with 15 exclusive spa villas including four water treatment villas.

Overview

The embodiment of minimalist elegance, the 33 overwater villas sit on snaked wooden decks, where you can slip straight into the soothing turquoise lagoon for world-class snorkelling and diving on the private reef.

The suites on Makunufushi island resemble a collection of Kerelan boathouses, each with a private sundeck, vintage-style ceiling fans, whitewashed walls, and lavish en-suite with roll-top bathtub. The ultra-private one-bedroom villas also offer dining bales and outdoor showers.

As one of the smaller resorts, there is a definitive calmness to Cocoa Island that is hard to beat. From the gardens to the infinity and hydrotherapy pools, yoga pavilion to the renowned COMO Shambhala spa, wellbeing is central to life here.

The resorts main restaurant, Ufaa, has a daily-changing menu specialising in Southeast Asian and Mediterranean dishes, using organic vegetables and freshly caught seafood. Romantic candlelit dinners and glamorous picnics are served on the beach.

Diving and snorkelling are the main attraction here, with parrotfish, rays and small sharks spotted in the surrounding waters.